Self-organized Zn/ZnO core-shelled hierarchical structures prepared by aqueous chemical growth

Abstract

Self-assembled core-shelled hierarchical structures consisting of single-crystalline pyramid Zn microtip as a core, converted ZnO coating as the shell, and the grown ZnO nanowires as branches, have been prepared. Such ZnO hierarchical structures fabricated by a simple aqueous chemical growth method on Zn foil substrate are expected to be easily integrated into nanodevices. These self-organized structures are superior to both the random nanoarchitecture arrays formed in vapor system and the precipitated nanostructures suspended in the solution. Because of the easier transportation of electrons from the metallic core to ZnO branches, the self-assembled core-shelled hierarchical structures exhibit better field-emission characteristics.

Core–shelled Zn/ZnO microspheres synthesised by ultrasonic irradiation for photocatalytic applications

“…Recently, Zn/ZnO core-shelled microstructures have aroused great interest because of the unique properties of metal-semiconductor junctions formed at the core-shell interface [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. Not only nanometre-scale Zn/ZnO core-shells (i.e.…”

“…Zn/ZnO core-shells with enhanced photocatalytic activity can find wide applications in degrading organic pollutants in waste water. Although the photoluminescence (PL) of the Zn/ZnO coreshells was intensively investigated [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8], little attention was paid to their photocatalytic properties.…”

“…nanodiscs [1], nanodisc dendrites [2], nanotubes [1], nanorods [3] and nanoparticles [4]) but also micrometre‐scale Zn/ZnO core–shells (i.e. microspheres [5], microtips [6], microurchins [7] and microcactuses [8]) were prepared by various physical and chemical techniques such as the thermal evaporation method [1, 7, 8], electrodeposition [2, 6], hydrothermal synthesis [3] and laser ablation in liquid medium [4]. These core–shelled structures can have many important features.…”

ZnO hierarchical nanostructures and application on high-efficiency dye-sensitized solar cells

“…Especially, aqueous-phase approaches at low temperature (typically <100 • C) are particularly popular because of their low energy requirements, safe and environmentally benign conditions. Hierarchical ZnO crystals based on solution-phase route have been synthesized by several groups [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18], and the secondary nucleation of branched crystals on primary ZnO was demonstrated as a key factor for the growth of hierarchical structure [19][20][21]. As so far, only sparse ZnO hierarchical structure with micrometer size was synthesized via low temperature solution routes, and it is still a big challenge to synthesize ZnO hierarchical nanostructures on a large scale in low temperature solution.…”

One-step in situ synthesis and characterization of W18O49@carbon coaxial nanocables

“…[1][2][3] To tailor the physical and chemical properties of 1D nanostructures to a more diverse range, one of the most effective ways is to create heterostructures with different compositions and interfaces. [4][5][6] Among various 1D heterostructures, the coaxial nanocable structure has become a significant class because of their wide applications in field effect transistors, 7,8 light emitting diodes, 9 solar cells, 10 gas sensors, 11 magnetic sensors 12 and optical [13][14][15][16][17] nanodevices.…”